AQW 24095/22-27

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 10/03/2025
Answered On Date: 19/03/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure whether her Department has considered introducing planning restrictions on the construction of apartment developments in coastal towns, such as Portrush and Portstewart, to protect the character of these areas.

Answer:

Councils across the North are responsible for bringing forward housing policies for their own areas in their Local Development Plans (LDPs). In doing so, they must take account of the Department’s Regional Development Strategy (RDS) 2035 and the Strategic Planning Policy Statement (SPPS) which supports the creation of balanced communities and the provision of adequate and available supply of quality housing to meet the needs of everyone. This process allows councils to address local housing issues within their communities, such as the balance between family housing, apartments and holiday homes.

Where appropriate, LDPs can include specific policies to protect the distinctive nature and character of settlements. My Department performs an important oversight role in seeking to ensure that LDPs take account of regional policy and guidance and has been encouraging of LDP approaches that support the creation of balanced communities and an appropriate mix of tenures. In addition to plan making, councils are responsible for determining planning applications for housing in their local areas and in doing so, the provisions of regional strategic planning policy must also be taken into consideration. I have no plans to revise the Department’s planning policy approach on housing to restrict the construction of apartment developments in coastal towns at this time.